Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-12-12
PROFANITY.
Take Not the Name of the Lord thy God
In Vain.

PROFANITY.
Take Not the Name of the Lord thy God
In Vain.
Rev. r. L. Mediation, pastor of the
Christian Church on Eighth street, between
n and o, in sermon on cursing, among
other things said 1t is distressingly sad
to observe how prevalent is the sin of pro-
fame swearing. You cannot walk down X
street without hearing some one profane
the name Of our God All classes are
addicted to the habit. Little boys are not
far behind their fullgrown companions.
Even women forget their moral superiority
ana take in vain the name Of that one who
is their Supreme Friend Men in high
position. as well as those in the meanest
paths of life, lift up their voices in dishon
oring God Ii is sad to have to say that
this is profane nation. England is not
much better and Continental Europe is
still worse. Once a Hindoo dignitary
visited England. and when he returned
TO HIS HEATHEN HOME
Wrote letter in which he said 1.-THE
English are most religious nation, since
they continually call upon the Supreme
Being" The man who cannot swear is
said to be ineligible to mateship on
Mississippi steamboat. Parrots are taught
to swear, and to use profanity is the first
thing that the Chinaman learns. Even in
fidels, who claim there is no God, are ex-
perts in defaming the name of him whom
they say does not exist. Profanity seems
TO be on the increase. With the secular
izing of the Lords Day has come an in
crease of drunkenness, murder and profan-
ity. When man uses this holy day for
picnics, excursions and all kinds of games,
prize fights and baseball, he soon learns to
hate that One to whom this day belongs.
BE FoRGETs THE CHURCH
And her moral instruction, and soon openly
curses by the God so much revered by the
better element of this nation. Any use of
the name of the Deity, other than in wor-
ship, instruction, alteration, respect, or that
required by the civil government, is ours
ing. 1t is just as much sin TO curse by
Jesus Christ as it is by His Father. Cursing
is calling upon God to annihilate somebody
If you get mad at your horse, you ask the
Lord to damn the poor creature. Now sup
pose he would answer that prayer-why.
you would lose your horse. You quarrel
with fellow-man, and in your anger you
call upon the Great Ruler to destroy him.
How would you feel if your enemy should
drop dead at your feet? You would flee
from the presence of the Almighty. | have
heard men ask the Lord to
DAMN THEIR OWN CHILDREN.
What is meant by that word damn" as
used in this sense? 1t is asking God to
send some one to hell and to keep him
there forever. Stop and consider what you
are doing You would not have God send
your child there; you would not desire
your neighbor to live with the devil; you
would not ask to have your worst enemy
sent to that dreadful place. Men who are
perfect gentlemen in other respects, have
contracted this foolish and wicked habit.
Others curse because they think it is manly.
Some boys think they are men when he
can raise mustache. smokes his first
cigarette, and takes his first dram. The
bully of the community is the champion
swearer, and the younger loafing element
admire and initiate him. Swearing is use
less; there is nothing to be gained by this
evil practice. 1t does not make your Ian
guage more beautiful or forcible.
IT IS VULGAR.
If it is useless and vulgar and there is no
reason for it, it is inexcusable 1t is dis
honoring God. When your child uses vul-
gar language correct him. Keep him out
OF company that swears until he has formed
his character, and burn every dime novel
that you can lay your hands upon. In
many of them the heroes are the worst of
characters, and use vulgar and profane
language. In contrast with the dignataries
of our day those of our earlier history are
far superior. | wish to call a witness that
must be respected by every true American
one whose name stands at the very head of
patriots. From his quiet tomb we must
call that one who is justly denominated the
tru J. lrn
order of George Washington:
HEADQUARTERS, MooRE's HOUSE,
WEST POINT. July %, 1893.
Many and pointed orders have been issued
against that unmeaning and abominable Gus
tom of swearing, Notwithstanding, with great
regret, the General observes that it prevails if
possible, more than ever his feelings are con-
tinu8lly wounded by the oaths and imprecations
them. The name of that Being from whose
bountiiul goodness we are permitted to exist
and enjoy the comforts of life is necessarily i'm
precated and profaued in manner that is as
wanton as it is shocking. For the sake there
fore of religion, decency and order the Gen
eral hopes and trusts that the officers of every
rank VIII use their influence and authority to
check vice which is as improbable as it is
wicked and shameful. If the officers would
make II an unavoidable rule to reprimand, and
if that does not do, punish soldiers for offenses
OF TINS KIND, II could not fail of having the de-
sired effect. GEORGE WASHINGTON.
You have seen the utter uselessness, the
real vulgarity, and alarming influence of
this sin will you not promise me to desist
from such an unclean practice? For the
sake OF your own temporal welfare, as you
love your wife and children, and as you
prize the future Of your nation, beg of
you cease TO profane the name of God, who
has blessed you. protected your family, and
guided the affairs of our Republic We
cannot expect a continuation of His favors
if we disregard His plainly published COM
mand. God cannot hold him guiltless who
takes His name in vain.